Dr Sonja Britz qualified as a dentist from the University of Pretoria in 2005 and completed her community service the following year. In 2007, she started working in a private group practice in Pretoria. Endodontics and oral surgery are two subjects in dentistry that really appeal to her which she has focused on throughout her career thus far. Assisting in theatre on a weekly basis since working in private practice encouraged her to complete a postgraduate diploma in oral surgery in 2012, during that time also doing session work at the University. In 2015 and 2016 she completed a 14-month basic implantology and soft tissue augmentation course, relocated to Cape Town, and became a member of the international team for implantology. She drives herself to save a tooth above replacing it with an alternative, which prompted her to recently complete her diploma in endodontics through the University of Pretoria.

In her spare time, Dr Britz enjoys doing endurance running. Her approach to doing a root canal treatment is inspired by how she approaches these runs. According to her, “How you start will determine how you finish. Slow and steady will eventually help you to achieve the goal”.

She loves the challenge and effort it takes to succeed. Continuous education is very important to her, including being part of a dental family where she can share knowledge, advice, and learn from those that have more experience than her. She enjoys her work and loves what she does and hopes her passion is visible to those she helps.

After growing up in Durban, I relocated to Cape Town in 2007 to commence my dental training. Even though I am the eldest of three children, I was never short of inspiration. My dad and grandad – both self made individuals whose dedication to success and growth was never far off my radar.
Respect, humility, and humanity were the key themes to my upbringing and the essence of success was to always give off my best regardless of the possible outcome.
It was during my fourth year (of a five-year degree) at the University of the Western Cape that I knew restorative dentistry was to be my destiny and it was a given that perusing the specialty of Prosthodontics would afford me the capacity to fulfill my ultimate passion – giving back in a way no other could in my field – correcting the negative psychosocial effects of lack in oral dentofacial confidence.
Upon graduation as a dentist (2011), I remained in Cape Town as having a close relationship with the University would nurture my clinical academic acumen – this culminated in being awarded a Post-graduate diploma in Dentistry (Implantology) in 2013. I was accepted into the full-time registrar/residency program in Prosthodontics in 2015, and I sat my final examinations in November 2020.
These proved to be the most challenging but rewarding years of my training as being a full time student for 5 years and having engaged in rigorous assessments clinically, academically and with a strong research component.
Beyond dentistry I thoroughly enjoy the outdoors, running, hiking, mountain biking and certainly the ocean!

Qualified in 2007 and worked in his private practice until 2014 when he joined UWC paediatric dentistry department.
Masters and under-graduate training is part of his lecturing duties.
He enjoys research and has 19 accredited journal publications in dental materials, lasers and ethics.
Riaan has provided 35 lectures between 2012-2018 at CPD events.

Johan Opperman is a consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist with 5 years’ experience in diagnostic oral and maxillofacial / head and neck pathology. His interests include salivary gland pathology, bone and odontogenic tumours, oral medicine and forensic odontology. He graduated with a BSc degree in 1997 from the University of Stellenbosch where after he joined the Department of Human Genetics at Tygerberg Hospital. In 1999 he enrolled for a degree in dentistry at the University of Stellenbosch which he completed in 2003. After graduating he worked in the private sector and in private practice in South Africa and Northern Australia. In 2011 he returned to South Africa and enrolled for a post-graduate diploma in Forensic Odontology at the University of the Western Cape. After completing his post-graduate diploma, he underwent specialist training in Oral & Maxillofacial Pathologist at the same university. In 2019 he was appointed as consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Pathologist at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Tygerberg Hospital and senior lecturer at the University of the Western Cape.

Nicoline Potgieter qualified as a dentist in 2009. She completed her postgraduate diploma in Endodontics at the University of Pretoria, postgraduate diploma in Paedodontics at the University of Western Cape a Master’s degree at the University of Pretoria. Her fields of interest include all aspects of paediatric dental care but specifically behaviour management, paedo-endo and the ethical challenges associated with treatment of minors.
Dr Potgieter was head of the division of Paedodontics at the University of Pretoria but recently relocated to the University of Western Cape as a Senior Lecturer, with the goal to help implement Paediatric Dentistry as a Speciality in South Africa.
She is the President of the South African Association of Paediatric Dentistry and has presented lectures at many conferences and dental meetings. In her spare time she prefers to spend time with her family and friends over a good glass of Chardonnay.

Dr. Hardus Strydom started his dental journey at the University of Stellenbosch in 2000 following the completion of his B.Sc. degree at the same university. He obtained his B.Ch.D. degree (Summa Cum Laude) in 2004 and in 2005 served as community service dentist in Bloemfontein.During this time, he enrolled in a PDD in Endodontics (2005-2006) and followed that up with a PDD in Interceptive Orthodontics (2007-2008), both completed at the University of the Western Cape. He married his beautiful wife, Karen, in January 2006 and together they decided to move to the Netherlands where he worked as a General Practitioner for three years (2006-2009).The PDD (orthodontics) rekindled his passion for orthodontics, which motivated him to start a four-year full-time specialization (2009-2013) under the guidance of professor Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, one of the leading Orthodontic residencies in Europe. Dr Strydom and his wife briefly returned to South Africa in 2009 for the birth of their son, Colin. In 2013 their family was blessed again, this time with a baby girl named Annabelle. Dr Strydom has been working in private Orthodontic practice in Europe since graduating as orthodontist in July 2013, while also serving as clinical supervisor at the Radboud University in the Netherlands. In 2014 he finally decided to return to South Africa where he is currently the proud owner of Strydom Orthodontics Inc.

In private practice since 1990 Dr. van Rooyen gained world-class experience in Maxillo Facial and Oral Surgery, before joining Patheodent as a partner in the practice. Having completed several in-depth practical courses in implantology his focus has always been on refining the aesthetic and functional component in dentistry. Dr. van Rooyen is often requested to give lectures locally and abroad and has distinguished himself as a Key Opinion Leader for the Dentsply Sirona Group.
WORK EXPERIENCE - Patheodent – Dental Surgeon & Co-Owner March 2003–present A Cape Town based practice, with special focus on digitally based reconstructive dentistry. Has lectured internationally on Implantology and CAD/CAM dental solutions since 2013
Private Practice from 1990 – 2002
SKILLS
• Dental Implantology
• 3D CAD/CAM Oral Reconstruction
• Aesthetic Dentistry
• Aligner Therapy ISCD Certified Trainer
EDUCATION
• University of Pretoria, 1990 BchD Dentistry
University of Stellenbosch, 2003 Post Graduate Diploma in
• Dental Implantology
Implant and Aesthetic Academy, 2010 Post Graduate Diploma
• in Dental Implantology
International Society of Computerized Dentistry, 2013 ISCD
• Master Certificate and Trainers course
INTERESTS
• 3D Computerized
• Technology with reference to dentistry
• Adventure sport
• Sailing